Total Complaints
28 filings
GMC PICKUP · model year
1997 GMC PICKUP
28 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997GMCPICKUP carries 28 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 PICKUP is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 3 filings, followed by visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor (3) and steering:hydraulic power assist system (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 1997 PICKUP. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
28
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 3 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR | 3 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | 3 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS | 2 |
| TIRES | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 1 |
| STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20040712VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
RECALL NOTICE REGARDING VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD WIPERS.*MR THE CONSUMER MISPLACED THE RECALL LETTER RELATER TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE CONSUMER REQUEST THAT ANOTHER COPY BE SENT SO THAT THE RECALL CAN BE COMPLETED. *NM
20040520VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE DRIVING FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. RECALL 03V159000 WAS ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPAIR BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *NM
Mileage: 107,000
20040223VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURE. *AK
Mileage: 40,225
20040223STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
INTERMITTENT SURGE OR BOOST IN POWER STEERING ASSITANCE. HAS OCCURRED OVER THE PAST 1+ YRS . LOOSE STEERING . *AK
Mileage: 30,000
20030819AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND SHUT DOWN THE FUSES TO THE ENTIRE BAG SYSTEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK *TS
Mileage: 4,000
20030502ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WIPE AFTER BRIEF RAINSTORM . ONCE THE TRUCK DRIED, THE WIPERS WOULD WORK. THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL ELECTRICAL ASSEMBLIES FAILED WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF EACH OTHER AND FURTHER DIAGNOSIS REVEALED AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN EACH ASSEMBLY WHICH CAUSED THE TURN SIGNAL TO FAIL TO FLASH. BULB TESTED GOOD. THE PERSONAL AT THE AUTO PARTS STORE STATED THEY HAD A LOT OF THESE ASSEMBLIES BEING REQUESTED FOR REPLACEMENT. I HAVE NEVER HAD A WRECK WITH MY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT BY GM SUPPLIER BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT PORTION WOULD CONTINUE TO WORK. *JB *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*764581
Mileage: 60,000
20030502VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WIPE AFTER BRIEF RAINSTORM . ONCE THE TRUCK DRIED, THE WIPERS WOULD WORK. THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL ELECTRICAL ASSEMBLIES FAILED WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF EACH OTHER AND FURTHER DIAGNOSIS REVEALED AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN EACH ASSEMBLY WHICH CAUSED THE TURN SIGNAL TO FAIL TO FLASH. BULB TESTED GOOD. THE PERSONAL AT THE AUTO PARTS STORE STATED THEY HAD A LOT OF THESE ASSEMBLIES BEING REQUESTED FOR REPLACEMENT. I HAVE NEVER HAD A WRECK WITH MY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT BY GM SUPPLIER BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT PORTION WOULD CONTINUE TO WORK. *JB *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*764581
Mileage: 60,000
20030423VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY WHICH CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. *NLM
20020627FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CONSUMER STATES WIRES INSIDE THE GAS TANK LEADING TO THE FUEL PUMP WERE BURNED, WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL PUMP TO STOP WORKING.*JB
20011126STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
UNEXPECTED/ERRATIC BOOST FROM POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. *AK
20010710STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
IF THE TRANSDUCER FAILS THE STEERING APPEARS TO LOCK UP OR THE CAR WANDERS , STEERING IS ERRATIC. *AK
20010515VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. AT TIMES, ONLY ONE SPEED OF OPERATION IS AVAILABLE. ONE DEALER TOLD ME THAT GM HAD KNOWLEDGE OF THIS DEFECT(BAD SOLDER JOINTS ON CIRCUIT BOARD?) BUT WOULD NOT ISSUE/INITIATE A RECALL OR ASSIST OWNERS FINANCIALLY IN REPAIR OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
20001013TIRES
I HAD 2 BLOWOUTS WITHIN 100 MILES WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE TIRES WERE CHECKED FOR PROPER INFLATION PRIOR TO THE TRIP. WHEN I TOOK THEM TO MY LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER THEY WERE QUICK TO SHIFT THE BLAME AND ACCEPTED NO RESPONSIBILITY. I HAVE SINCE REPLACED ALL FOUR OF THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES ON MY TRUCK BUT THOUGHT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN LIGHT OF ALL OF THE FIRESTONE PROBLEMS. MY TIRES WERE 16" AND DIDN'T SEPERATE, THEY JUST BLEWOUT. (TIRESIZE: 245/75R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 245/75R16 )
20001013TIRES
I HAD 2 BLOWOUTS WITHIN 100 MILES WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE TIRES WERE CHECKED FOR PROPER INFLATION PRIOR TO THE TRIP. WHEN I TOOK THEM TO MY LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER THEY WERE QUICK TO SHIFT THE BLAME AND ACCEPTED NO RESPONSIBILITY. I HAVE SINCE REPLACED ALL FOUR OF THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES ON MY TRUCK BUT THOUGHT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN LIGHT OF ALL OF THE FIRESTONE PROBLEMS. MY TIRES WERE 16" AND DIDN'T SEPERATE, THEY JUST BLEWOUT. THERE WAS STILL 50% OF TREAD LIFE ON THE TIRES AT THE TIME OF THE BLOWOUTS. (TIRESIZE: 245/75R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 245/75R16 )
19991104SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE..BRAKES LOCKED ONCE AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. *AK
19990908ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
THE TAIL PIPE WAS HITTING THE BRAKE LINE AND WAS TOO CLOSE TO PUT A HITCH ON.
19990113ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM ENGINE WHEN FIRST CRANKED UP. DEALER REPLACED MAIN BEARING, BUT NOISE PERSISTED. THEY THEN REPLACED THE LIFTERS AND NOISE STILL REMAINS. THEY ARE NOW PULLING THE ENGINE AND TEARING IT DOWN FOR INSPECTION.
19980604SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH FRONT PULLS TO THE RIGHT. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. DEALERS CANNOT FIX IT. *AK
19971216SEATS
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR RECALL IN THE MONTH OF MARCH. DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE RIGHT PART FOR THE VEHICLE.CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER TO WAIT UNITL HE WILL RECEIVE A SECOND RECALL NOTICE. CONSUMER HAS RECEIVED SECOND NOTICE. HE HAS BEEN WAITING TO GET VEHICLE FIXED EVER SINCE. *AK
19971027SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE PADS PREMATURALLY WEAR OUT. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE PADS TWO TIMES. OWNER STATES THAT THE PADS NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *AK
Compare 1997GMCPICKUP to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1997 GMC PICKUP have?▼
The 1997 GMC PICKUP has 28 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 GMC PICKUP?▼
The most-complained component for the 1997 GMC PICKUP is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR and STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM.
Is the 1997 GMC PICKUP safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.